The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-14

tainly not far OF. Her condition was suob
as to leave no doubt on that point.
Though Mrs. Birdy had for some time ma ).
expected this announcement, it now greatlJ
affected her, and almost before she had
time to recover herself she received a mes-
sage from the nurse who attended the sicl,
woman saying that the latter would like IN
see her. Mrs. Birdy at once went to the
sick-room. To her establishment, the frat
request of the dying stranger was that the
nurse might be told to withdraw. Gertrude
directed the nurse to leave, and then, not
a little excited and apprehensive waited tc
hear the reason for this request.
The dying woman lay silent for some mo-
ments. At last she spoke.
"You have been very kind to me,n she
said.
Gertrude did not reply.
eyes" continued the woman, sit is that
that is killing me-"
"Killing your repeated Gertrude. in
amazement
Yes" said the invalid; ''or, perhaps 7
should say, the thought of how little de.
serve it is killing me. l deserve no kind.
ness, for l never showed any,"
Gertrude sat in silence confused and
amazed. She could not reply, being at a
loss to understand what the dying woman
meant.
After long pause the woman continued.
Wy on do not understand me, suppose |
will tell you my history, and then you will
81 was born far away from here, and waN
the petted and spoiled child of parents in
| comfortable circumstances INDUCED in
my every desire, fiattered and obeyed, with.
out any knowledge of sorrow or suffering. l
grew up heartless and giddy woman I'm
afraid from being merely callous to others
feelings grew to take pleasure in their
pain. At any rate know | married nv
husband less from any fancy for him than
| from wish to spite other girls who l saw
were angling for him.
''He was doctor of very polished MAJ
| ners and considerable energy who was
rapidly winning his way into the first rank
of his profession. But, if | were spitefll,
he was absolutely cruel He took a posi-
tive pleasure in inflicting pain. Wherever
therew suffering to be witnessed he vas
delighted to be present. l well remember
how, though he was physician, aud mo-
surgeon, he used to be annoyed if any
very frightful operation was performed
without his seeing it. He pretended he
only wished to see it for information's sake.
knew better.
1--WE had one daughter born-a pretty.
fair-haired, blue-eyed creature, lust like
your child. While she was baby myhus-
band paid no attention to her, but as soon
as she grew old enough and began to be
able to run about and talk little, she, I'M
fortunately for herself was not long in at
tracing his notice. He watched her about
the room and continually found fault with
her. AS sure as he found fault with her
he beat her. AT first this cruelty reyolted
me, but, God pardon me, gradually grew
to take pleasure in it. | could listen to
the poor girls screams without shudder;
nay, sometimes almost with delight.
Zone day the poor little thing committed
some fault which an ordinary mother
would have thought fully punished by
mild correction; but took her to my hus-
band and asked him to punish her. With
smile he went for his walking-cane With
it he flogged and refogged the child till
she was black and blue. He ceased, to
rest himself, and then began again. The
child's screams were dreadful The sery-
ants at last could bear it no longer.
Headed by the coachman, they came into
the room and demanded that the punish
ment should cease. My husband ordered
them out. The coachman refused to 90,
and when my husband, overcome with
rage, struck him with the cane, the man
knocked him down, and, lifting the child in
his arms, walked out of the house before
we could stop him, and took her straight to
the police station.
1.-The police surgeon reported that the
child would probably die Wewere arrested
and detained in the prison for time, but
when it was found that the child was recov-
ering we were liberated and merely fined
thanks to the position my husband had one
time occupied and 10 the fact of our not be.
ing taken before an impartial Judge. But
myhusband's practice was naturally ruined,
so he resolved to go abroad. Happily for
the child, he determined to abandon her.
She, heard, was adopted by my brother.
"My husband and l went abroad. He
failed to prosper wherever we went The
brutality he once expended on our child he
now turned upon me. You see these scars!
They are evidence of his tr eatment At last
he died in Jail, where he had been sent for
brutal attack upon poor woman who
happened to offend him in public house,
and was left penniless in a strange land.
''Do you think l deserve your kindness
.now!h
You have never done me wrong,n replied
Gertrude, at the same time trembling vio-
lently and looking as deathly pale as the
dying woman.
'Never done you wrong!" said the stran-
ger, excitedly.
mot to my knowledge" muttered Ger
trude, as her e't-recurring dream came Wv
idly before her.
''God forgive me! exclaimed the woman,
n do
grant you may forgive me! You were that
child! am your mother I'-London TRUTH
For Thoughtful Consideration.